A celebration for Diwali, the Hindu festival of good over evil, was held in Swift Current over the weekend, bringing together the community.

The event highlights the story of Rama and his army of good defeating the demon king Ravana's army of evil.

The official date for Diwali was Wednesday, but was celebrated over the weekend so more people could make it out, said Bula Ghosh, a member of the South Asian Diwali Committee.

"This year, Diwali happened on the 7th of November, it is based on a lunar calendar, so the date of the event can change from year to year."

Ghosh also stated that some parts of India also celebrate New Years the day after Diwali, so some would also be celebrating the new calendar year during their planned celebration.

Inclusivity played a large role in this and past Diwalis held in Swift Current, as the event often receives visitors that are not of the Hindu faith.

"And what we find that is so nice, because we want to have this event open to everybody in Swift Current, we see a lot of local people coming in who are not of Hindu religious background, but they come in to celebrate the occasion, and participate in the fun and festivities."

Ghosh said that she attributes this inclusion to a welcoming community which supports multiculturalism."

I would attribute this partly to, yes, it is a welcoming community, and support for the concept of multiculturalism, that I don't have to think that 'oh I'm not of that cultural group, I'm not of this religious group so it's not for me' going beyond that," Ghosh said, going on to speak on her own experience with multiculturalism. "Every year I love to go to the Christmas carol celebration that the United Church [hosts], I'm not a Christian, but I enjoy that because we don't have to limit ourselves within our own religious borders that we grew up with or are born in."

Ghosh said that events like these are important for those who may be new to Canadian culture, giving a chance to celebrate and socialize.

"It is a celebration that people do with families and friends, and many have come away from there homeland and they don't have close family here, so the friends become the family, they take that role that family had back in their native country, so people getting together gives a sense of joy that we have, we connect, there are people there for us, we have our social group, and we can celebrate together."

People who attended the event were welcome to experience Hindu cultural dancing and food.